High-Tech and Deep-Tech Ventures
Accelerated
Become part of our Venture Accelerator and a unique platform for exchange and networking between start-ups, industry, investors, and science.
The venture accelerator for high-tech and deep-tech start-ups as well as start-up projects from science and business with a focus on:
The focus of this accelerator program is on the following topics:
- New Materials
- Nanotechnology
- Microsystems Technology
- Nano- and Microelectronics
- Optical Technology
- Quantum Technology
- Manufacturing & Process Engineering
- Energy & Environmental Technology
- Medical Technology & Healthcare
Mission
High-tech start-ups face very special challenges and at the same time play a key role in the sustainable development of the NRW economic region and entire industries. We help founders on their journey to future innovations in capital-intensive and highly complex high- and deep-tech fields.
The three pillars for the success of early-stage technology developments
HIGH-TECH.NRW is a venture platform and offers a customized 12-week accelerator program for high-tech and deep-tech start-ups. The program provides networking with investors, industry, and politics, and active further development from a technology to a sustainable business model.
Business Case Validation
Technologies are not an end in themselves. They are meant to help us solve problems and make our lives easier. Therefore, identifying a resilient business concept is particularly important.
Investment & Technology Readiness
In addition to the actual application of the technologies, factors relevant to risk management play a decisive role in the future due diligence of investors and partners.
Positioning & Scaling
Especially in highly complex developments, the right positioning and communication are the foundation for technological and entrepreneurial success.
Network effects for the NRW ecosystem
Start-ups as well as entrepreneurial spirit in key industrial technologies are the basis for a strong, climate-friendly and resource-efficient industry and thus a central and strategic factor for our innovation and business location.
Network partners in business and industry
HIGH-TECH.NRW networks medium-sized companies, hidden champions, and specialized technology companies with start-ups and innovation drivers across technologies and sectors.
Become partner now
and help shape the technological future!
We are looking for the best high-tech and deep-tech teams from NRW
The program is individually tailored to the needs of the founders:
We coach and network for strong visibility, helping you find your first customers and investors.
Teams with the following characteristics are especially in demand:
- Hardware-based business ideas in above-mentioned areas
- High-tech start-ups with disruptive potentials
- Technologies with strong B2B verticals and/or positive SDG effects
Female Founder Teams are highly welcome!
What start-ups say about HIGH-TECH.NRW
Despite our busy schedule, the program was designed with remarkable flexibility, allowing us to fully engage without compromising our other commitments. We gained valuable insights through numerous expert talks and built a strong network of connections. The program manager was incredibly patient and consistently provided thoughtful guidance and warm introductions to key contacts. We’re grateful for the support and inspiration this experience has given us.
Rahman Omidinia Anarkoli, FORMeat, Batch #6, 3rd Place
The HIGH-TECH.NRW program offers high-tech and deep-tech start-ups the ideal platform to network with industry representatives, validate product ideas and gain their first customers. OSPHIM has particularly benefited from the diverse mentor network, which has provided us with valuable insights and support.
Louisa Desel, OSPHIM GmbH Batch #4, 1st Place
The last few weeks have been very exciting and instructive for us in many ways. We were able to establish numerous exciting industry contacts and benefit in particular from the broad network of mentors. We are very grateful for all the support from HIGH-TECH.NRW!
Dr.-Ing. Lisa Schmitt, mechIC, Batch #4, 2nd Place
The 12-week accelerator exceeded all our expectations. It covered all relevant content – from IP and market analysis to fundraising. We were particularly impressed by the first-class network, which enabled us to have in-depth discussions and gain valuable insights from experienced experts. Special praise also goes to the program managers, who provided us with the best possible support and expertise. A truly outstanding program!
Marlene Reusmann, Hydrogenea GmbH, Batch #4, 3rd Place
The HIGH-TECH.NRW Accelerator has opened up a wealth of opportunities for us. The combination of first-class mentoring, targeted, high-quality coaching and access to a network of experts and investors has particularly impressed us and is helping us to pursue our goals in the long term.
Jakob Pfrommer, SLAPStack, Batch #4
Mentors were the standout feature of this accelerator. Equally crucial was the connection and support from fellow deep tech start-ups. In the end, the challenges you encounter as a deep tech, hardware start-up are incredibly unique, and it’s invaluable to share insights with your peers.
Dr. Celia Millon, RayVen, Batch #4
The HIGH-TECH.NRW Accelerator has helped us a lot as Regascold. Through pitch training and optimization, training courses, networking with investors, companies and other startups and the crowning finale at the demo day, the HIGH-TECH.NRW team has given us incredible support over the last few months and helped us a lot in our further development. We are very grateful to you and look forward to further contact with you and the other participating teams.
Philipp Ketteniß, Regascold GmbH, Batch #4
HIGH-TECH.NRW has enabled us to further develop our product. With the help of the many contacts and mentors, we continue to receive active support. HIGH-TECH.NRW is and was an absolute added value for us and a great help in the start-up scene!
Ramona Schütte-Kracht, accensors GmbH, Batch #3
HIGH-TECH.NRW is the place to be when it comes to deep-tech start-ups! 12 weeks of concentrated knowledge, first-class coaching, a great network and unique mentors from the business world. A straight 10/10 for me.
Roland Boumann, red cable robots GmbH, Batch #3, 1rst place
Dr.-Ing. Jens Lotte, Plasma Additive GmbH, Batch #3, 2nd place
The program is a source of support for start-ups, both in the founding phase and beyond. The expert talks offer a wealth of valuable information and a wide range of contacts. The large network, commitment and expertise of the HIGH-TECH.NRW team make all the difference. We can recommend HIGH-TECH.NRW without hesitation!
Florian Beyer, INDUVOS, Batch #3, 3rd place
It was the first accelerator for us at FOX Composites and we couldn’t have chosen a better one. The incredibly informative expert talks on all relevant topics for start-ups, the great team behind the program and, above all, the sustainable, large network were the biggest benefits for us. The Demo Day was a great finale and a real booster for us.
Dr. Vito Leisner, FOX Composites, Batch #3
If you are building a start-up in the Rhineland, there is no way around HIGH-TECH.NRW. The accelerator program has taken Co-reactive to a whole new level. In addition to the wide range of workshops, the network of experts who are enthusiastic about start-ups forms an important basis for our future success.
Orlando Kleineberg, co-reactive, Batch #2, 1rst place
HIGH-TECH.NRW connected us with outstanding mentors from the deep tech scene and enabled us to massively expand our network of experts and investors. The team worked tirelessly in intensive exchange to accelerate our team and topic and was always able to provide us with advice and support. […]
Aiko Bernehed, Alteva Technologies, Batch #2, 2nd place
The HIGH-TECH.NRW program is unique because it brings together exciting entrepreneurs with an extremely deep technical understanding and thus raises undreamt-of potential. […] Unique for high-tech and deep-tech start-ups! Thank you!
Oliver Weimann, Quantum Cybersecurity Group, Batch #2
The HIGH-TECH.NRW program is recommendable, especially due to the commitment of the team and the individual support you receive there. By focusing on hardware startups and at the same time being open to the industry, a broad network of startups is created there in which people can openly exchange ideas at eye level while at the same time receiving help from established industry experts.
Dr.-Ing. Friederike Kogelheide, GLIM Skin, Batch #1
I see the good organization and clear structure as a particular strength of this accelerator. You are really “looked after” here. What’s fascinating about this program is the diversity of the participating start-ups, so you have a very broad view of the technology newcomers in NRW. The network is also one of the main arguments in favor of the program: precisely because the focus is cross-industry, there is no competition and you can learn a lot from each other and get new input.
Patrick Bongartz, Batch #1, 2nd place
The team behind HIGH-TECH.NRW consists of real experts who understand the deep-tech world and create an excellent breeding ground for real technological innovations in NRW. To all the tech start-ups out there – if you have a deep-tech orientation, HIGH-TECH.NRW is a MUST.
Dr. -Ing. Dennis Michaelis, GEMESYS Technologies, Batch #1, 3rd place
The HIGH-TECH.NRW Program was a perfect combination of mentoring sessions and in-person activities. All high level, both participating companies, mentors and the coordination team. Certainly a helpful program.
Dr. Débora Moretti, LiveSen, Batch #1
The combination of real start-up experience, broad network, and, above all, the will and willingness to support the participating start-ups at any time (even on Sundays!!) and seriously push them forward makes this program so valuable.
Boris Mayer, Innovative Robot Delivery, Batch #1, 1st place
The Accelerator allows us to make many interesting contacts and has given us another push in evaluating our business model!
Nicolai Walter, Pixel Photonics, Start-up 2020
Another unique feature of HIGH-TECH.NRW is that the mentors include industry experts with whom one can discuss very specific prospects and sales markets for one’s own technology.
Dr. David Dung, Midel Photonics, Start-up 2020, 3rd place
For House of Plasma, the program was a great success. We were able to consult on many strategic issues and adjust our own planning. This includes, for example, business planning including market entry strategies and the financing concept.
Dr. Moritz Oberberg, House of Plasma, Start-up 2020
Through our participation in HIGH-TECH.NRW, we have been able to expand our network to include mentors, coaches and partners from industry, finance and science, and acquire our first customers.
Alexander Igelmann, Lidrotec, Start-up 2020, 1st place
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No Equity. No charge. No on-site presence required. Just the right contacts at the right time.